Three-dimensional board game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional game is provided, of generally cubical form, the sides and top of which are provided with squares arranged in somewhat checkerboard fashion, and having holes or recesses for reception of pegs. Moves are made towards a target with the pegs, in a manner dictated by the roll of dice, or by spinning an index or pointer on a dial bearing numbers. The targets are in the form of squares of preselected colors corresponding to the colors of the pegs of each player. Interest is created by adherence to special rules or instructions incidental to the playing of the game. The game may be played by two or four players.

United States Patent lnventor Joseph J. Svetz 12492 Old State Road, Huntsburg, Ohio 44046 Appl. No. 37,260 Filed May 14, 1970 Patented Sept. 14, I971 THREE-DIMENSIONAL BOARD GAME APPARATUS 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

us. Cl ..273/134 AD, 273/134 FA, 273/134 6, 273/134 GB, 273/ l 31 BA Int. Cl A63f 3/02 Field 0! Search 273/130, 131, 136, 134

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1959 Haws 273/134 FA 2,940,760 6/l960 Brinkman 273/130 B 3,34l,205 9/1967 Dykes 273/l3l L 3,430,962 3/1969 Davenport 273/136 K Primary Examiner-Delbert B. Lowe Atlorney-lsler and Ornstein ABSTRACT: A three-dimensional game is provided, of generally cubical form. the sides and top of which are provided with squares arranged in somewhat checkerboard-' fashion, and having holes or recesses for reception of pegs. Moves are made towards a target with the pegs. in a manner dictated by the roll of dice, or by spinning an index or pointer on a dial bearing numbers. The targets are in the form of squares of preselected colors corresponding to the colors of the pegs of each player. lnterest is created by adherence to special rules or instructions incidental to the playing of the game. The game may be played by two or four players.

PATENTEUSEPMIBH $604,709

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BY JOSEPH J. SVETZ ATTORNEYS THREE-DIMENSIONAL BOARD GAME APPARATUS Three-dimensional games of the general type to which this invention relates are illustrated in various patents, including US. Pat. Nos. 907,421; 2,729,45 1; 2,873,975 and 2,940,760.

The present invention has, as its principal object, the provision of a game of this character, in which interest in the game is greatly enhanced by reason of movement of pegs in both vertical and horizontal planes, but along diagonal lines, on playing surfaces having black and white squares arranged in checkerboard fashion, and towards a target of a preselected color corresponding to the color of the pegs of each player.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game of the character described, of generally cubical of cubelike configuration or conformation, having sides and a top on which rows of horizontal and vertical squares are provided, each row having black and white squares arranged in staggered or alternate relationship with the black and white squares of adjacent rows, and with the black squares provided with openings for the reception of the pegs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game of the character described, in which the top is provided at each side or edge thereof with a target area or square of a preselected color, corresponding to the color of each players pegs, and with each of such areas being of a color different from those of the others of such areas.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game embodying the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a view showing one of the pegs used in playing the game.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the game will be seen to comprise a body, substantially in the form of a cube, having sides 1, 2, 3, and 4, and a top 5, the body being mounted on a platform 6 having an outwardly extending base portion 7, for purposes of stability.

The body, platform and base may, if desired, be molded in a single piece, from a plastic or the like, or may be formed of wood, metal, paper or other suitable material.

Each of the sides 1, 2, 3 and 4 has eight horizontal rows of squares, with alternate squares in each row being black or white. It is noted, in this connection, that the first square 8 in the lowermost row on the side 1 is white, and that the last square 9 in that row is black, and that the number of squares in that row is eight.

The first square 10, in the second horizontal row on side 1 is black, and the last square 11 in that row is white, the black squares in the second row being in staggered or alternate relationship to the black squares of the first row. The second row also has a total of eight squares.

Similarly, each successive horizontal row on side 1 has black and white squares, with the black squares in each row which is superimposed on the row immediately therebelow being in staggered relation to the black squares of the row immediately therebelow.

The squares of side 1, as shown, also provide or form eight vertical rows of squares, in side-by-side relation.

The side 2 also has eight horizontal and vertical rows of eight squares, with the alternate squares in each row being black or white.

it is noted, however, that the the first square 12, in the lowermost row on the side 2, in contrast to the square 8, is black, and that the last square 13 in that row is white, so that the squares 13 and 8 are white.

The first square 14, in the second horizontal row on side 2, is white and the last square 15 in that row is black, the black squares in the second row being in staggered or alternate relationship to the black squares of the first row. The squares 15 and 10 are thus black.

Similarly, each successive horizontal row on side 2 has black and white squares, with the black squares in each row which is superimposed on the row immediately therebelow being in staggered relationship to the black squares in the row immediately therebelow.

The arrangement of black and white squares of the side 3, which is opposite the side 1, is identical with that of side 1, and the arrangement of black and white squares of the side 4, which is opposite the side 2, is identical with that of side 2. The term arrangement" refers to the arrangement of the squares as viewed in the direction looking toward the sides 3 and 4.

The top 5 of the body or cube also has eight horizontal and vertical rows of squares, with the alternate squares in each row being black or white. The arrangement of black and white squares in the top 5 is identical with that in side 1, so that the white square 16 in the first row of the top is in the same position, in relation to the top, as the first square 8 in the lowermost row on the side 1 is to said side. This arrangement of squares on the top 5 is necessary in order that each black square on the top is arranged in a direction diagonal with respect to the black squares of the uppermost rows in the sides I 1, 2, 3 and 4.

It is noted, however, that the square 17 in the first row of the top, instead of being colored black, is, in this instance, colored green, to correspond to the color of that portion 7a of the base 7 which is at the side of the cube opposite that of the square 17.

Similarly, the square 18 in the first vertical row of the top, instead of being colored black, is, in this instance, colored orange, to correspond with the color of that portion 7b of the base 7 which is at the side of the cube opposite that of the square 18; the square 19 in the last horizontal row of the top, instead of being colored black, is, in this instance, colored red to correspond with the color of that portion 7c of the base 7 which is at the side of the cube opposite that of the square 19. and the square 20 in the last vertical row of the top, instead of being colored black, is, in this instance, colored blue to correspond with the color of that portion 7d of the base 7 which is at the side of the cube opposite that of the square 20.

Each of the black squares of the cube, as well as the colored squares 17, 18, 19 and 20, is provided at its center with a cylindrical recess or hole 21 adapted to receive the stem 22 of a peg 23, as shown in FIG. 2.

The game may be played by two or four players, each player being provided with 12 pegs 23, of a color corresponding to the color of the portion 7a, 7b, 7c, or 7d, at which the player is positioned, or which he has selected.

Each player, at the start of the game, positions his 12 pegs in the holes 21 in the three lowermost rows of black squares on that side of the cube at which the player is positioned, or which he has selected.

The object of the game is for each player to move his pegs up the side and across the top of the cube to the colored square 17, 18, 19 or 20 which matches the color of his pegs. The first player to get one of his pegs in the square of his color wins.

The game may be played with dice, or with a dial bearing numbers, and provided with an index or pointer, which is spun by the player, as is commonly employed in games of this general type.

Assuming that the game is played with dice, each player will roll his dice once to determine who plays first.

The first player then rolls the dice and moves one of his pegs the number of black squares shown on the dice. The first peg to be moved will obviously be a peg in the uppermost row of the three rows in which his pegs are located.

Only one peg may be moved at a time and the peg must be moved diagonally on the black squares only. The movement need not be diagonally in the same direction, but may be a zigzag movement, as long as it is a diagonal movement. All moves must be made either up the side or across the top toward the colored square which matches the color of the players pegs. A

player may not move backward or jump his own pegs. A player may not stop on the colored square of his opponent or opponents, but he may use or cross this square or space in his move if he continues on, that is to say, if the roll of the dice indicates that he can pass this square or space.

When a move originates on the side and carries over to the top, the move is continued until the number of spaces shown on the dice is used up.

If a player desires to make a move which originates on the top, he must forfeit his roll of the dice and move one space only diagonally.

An opponents peg may be eliminated from the game by jumping if the opponents peg is diagonally adjacent and the peg can be jumped without moving backwards. Stated in another way, if a player is on top, and his opponents peg is in the path of the player's move, the player may jump his opponents peg, and thereby eliminate the opponents peg. Such a jump is considered as a one-space move.

It will be understood that variations from the game, as described, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, including variations in the size of the cube, the number of rows and the number of spaces in each row, as well as in the colors selected for the spaces 17, 18, 19 and 20, and the pegs, and the form or shape of the base.

Although the game is illustrated as being primarily in the form of a solid or hollow cube, the cube may be made of sides and top which are collapsible upon each other, so as to conserve space in packaging, storing, and transporting the same. Such a variation, while not illustrated, is deemed within the scope of the invention, although certain hinging and connecting fasteners might be required for this purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. in a game apparatus of the character described, a body of cubical configuration having sides and a horizontal top, each of said sides having parallel 1 horizontal rows of squares, with each row consisting of alternate light an dark squares, the dark squares of each row being arranged in staggered relation to the dark squares of each adjacent row, said top having parallel rows of squares in an arrangement similar to that of the squares on the sides, but in which each of the rows of squares adjacent the upper edges of the sides is provided with one selected square of a predetermined color, the color of each of said selected squares being different from those of the other selected squares.

2. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said dark squares and said colored squares is provided at its center with an aperture adapted to receive a peg, with which the game is played.

3. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 2, comprising sets of pegs, the pegs of each set being of a color corresponding to one of the colored squares on said top.

4. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said rows consists of an even number of squares.

5. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 4, wherein said body is mounted on a base having four sides, with each side of a color different from those of the the other sides.

6. A game apparatus for playing a three-dimensional game with pegs, said apparatus comprising a cubical member having four sides and a horizontal top, each of said sides having parallel horizontal rows of squares, each row consisting of alternate light and dark squares, with the dark squares of each row being arranged in staggered relation to the dark squares of each adjacent row, and said top having parallel rows of squares in an arrangement similar to that of the squares on the sides, but in which the marginal rows adjacent the uppermost rows of the sides have dark squares in staggered relation to the dark squares of the adjacent uppermost row, but with one selected square in each of said marginal rows being of a predetermined color, the color of each of said selected squares being different from those of the other selected squares, each of said dark squares and said colored squares having a central aperture adapted to receive a peg, and a plurality of sets of pegs adapted to be insertedin said apertures, each of said sets having a color corresponding to the color of one of said selected squares on the top.

7. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said rows consists of an even number of squares.

8. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 7, wherein said body is mounted on a platform having outwardly extending base portions, each of said base portions being of a color corresponding to the color of one of said selected squares.

9. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 6, in which the last square in the bottom row of one side is light and, the first square in the bottom row of that side of the cubical member adjacent said last square is also tight and the last square in the bottom row is dark, the first square in the bottom row of that side of the cubical member adjacent said daRk square being also dark. 

1. In a game apparatus of the character described, a body of cubical configuration having sides and a horizontal top, each of said sides having parallel l horizontal rows of squares, with each row consisting of alternate light an dark squares, the dark squares of each row being arranged in staggered relation to the dark squares of each adjacent row, said top having parallel rows of squares in an arrangement similar to that of the squares on the sides, but in which each of the rows of squares adjacent the upper edges of the sides is provided with one selected square of a predetermined color, the color of each of said selected squares being different from those of the other selected squares.
 2. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said dark squares and said colored squares is provided at its center with an aperture adapted to receive a peg, with which the game is played.
 3. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 2, comPrising sets of pegs, the pegs of each set being of a color corresponding to one of the colored squares on said top.
 4. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said rows consists of an even number of squares.
 5. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 4, wherein said body is mounted on a base having four sides, with each side of a color different from those of the the other sides.
 6. A game apparatus for playing a three-dimensional game with pegs, said apparatus comprising a cubical member having four sides and a horizontal top, each of said sides having parallel horizontal rows of squares, each row consisting of alternate light and dark squares, with the dark squares of each row being arranged in staggered relation to the dark squares of each adjacent row, and said top having parallel rows of squares in an arrangement similar to that of the squares on the sides, but in which the marginal rows adjacent the uppermost rows of the sides have dark squares in staggered relation to the dark squares of the adjacent uppermost row, but with one selected square in each of said marginal rows being of a predetermined color, the color of each of said selected squares being different from those of the other selected squares, each of said dark squares and said colored squares having a central aperture adapted to receive a peg, and a plurality of sets of pegs adapted to be inserted in said apertures, each of said sets having a color corresponding to the color of one of said selected squares on the top.
 7. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said rows consists of an even number of squares.
 8. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 7, wherein said body is mounted on a platform having outwardly extending base portions, each of said base portions being of a color corresponding to the color of one of said selected squares.
 9. A game apparatus, as defined in claim 6, in which the last square in the bottom row of one side is light and, the first square in the bottom row of that side of the cubical member adjacent said last square is also tight and the last square in the bottom row is dark, the first square in the bottom row of that side of the cubical member adjacent said daRk square being also dark. 